Guzmania plant named Rana

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of Guzmania named `Rana` characterized by brilliant red inflorescence, produced on a strong, solid, compact, broad-leafed plant.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of thegenus Guzmania, within the family Bromeliaceae, hereinafter referred toby the cultivar name `Rana`.

Guzmania comprise a genus of over 100 species of evergreen perennialssuitable for cultivation in the home or under glass. Guzmania arepredominantly epiphytic with a few terrestrial species and are native tothe tropics. For the most part the species vary in diameter from 7 or 8inches to 3 or 4 feet and have rosettes of glossy, smooth edged leaves.

Floral bracts of Guzmania frequently have brilliant colors and may lastfor many months. The range of colors for Guzmania is generally fromyellow through orange but may also include flame red and red-purple.White or yellow, tubular, three petalled flowers may also appear on astem or within the leaf rosette but are usually short lived.

Guzmania may be advantageously grown as pot plants for greenhouse orhome use. Desirably the plants are shaded from direct sunlight andduring the spring to autumn period, the central vase-like part of theleaf rosette is desirably filled with water.

Guzmania is native to tropical America. Leaves of the Guzmania areusually formed as basal rosettes which are stiff and entire and inseveral vertical ranks. Guzmania have terminal spikes or panicles whichare often bracted with petals united in a tube about as long as thecalyx. The ovary is superior and the seeds plumose.

Asexual propagation of Guzmania is frequently done through the use oftissue culture practices. Propagation can also be from off-shootsproduced by the plant which may then be rooted. The resulting plantletsare detached from the mother plant and may be potted up in a suitablegrowing mixture.

The new cultivar `Rana` is a product of a planned breeding program andwas originated by the inventors from a cross made during such a programin Assendelft, The Netherlands, in 1983. The male, or pollen parent wasa selection from Guzmania lingulata identified by Code No. 8320112, andthe female, or seed parent was a selection from Guzmania wittmackiiidentified by Code No. 8320126. Both parents have a degree ofhomozygosity such that the progeny of the cross were and continue to besurprisingly uniform. The selection comprising the new variety waschosen after commencement of flowering of the progeny in 1986, andsubsequent and continuous asexual propagation of offshoots hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor the new cultivar `Rana` are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

`Rana` is particularly characterized by the following:

1. Its solid, compact growth habit.

2. Relatively wide leaves.

3. Superior floral bract production.

4. Large inflorescence.

5. Its long lasting habit.

Perhaps the closest comparison cultivar is `Grand Prix`. The above notedcharacteristics of `Rana` also serve to distinguish `Rana` from `GrandPrix`.

`Rana` has not been tested under all available environmental conditionsand the phenotype may vary with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature, light intensity, day length and humidity.

The accompanying color photographic drawings show typicalcharacteristics of `Rana`, with colors being as true as possible withillustrations of this type.

Sheet 1 comprises a perspective view of a full plant with floral bracts.

Sheet 2 contains at the top a somewhat more enlarged showing of thefloral bracts and inflorescence, and at the bottom there appears an evenmore enlarged color showing of the floral bracts and inflorescence.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Color Chart (RHS).

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and in combinationdistinguish `Rana` as a new and distinct cultivar. These observations,measurements and descriptions have been performed under greenhouseconditions in Assendelft, The Netherlands.

I. Plant:

Form.--Funnel form rosette.

Height.--Approximately 50 cm high when flowering.

Growth habit.--Stemless.

II. Foliage:

Size of leaf.--Approximately 35-45 cm long.

Shape of leaf.--Linear -- lanceolate.

Surface texture.--Smooth.

Variegation.--None.

Color.--Upperside, near RHS 139A. Underside, near RHS 137B.

III. Bracts:

Length.--Primary bracts approximately 12 cm, scape bracts approximately20 cm.

Width.--At the base, approximately 41/2 cm.

General shape.--Lanceolate.

Number.--Approximately 11 primary bracts.

Texture.--Smooth.

Margin.--Entire.

Color.--Inner and outer surfaces, RHS 44A with dark anthocyanous tip.

IV. Flowers:

Borne.--Erect stalks.

Shape of inflorescence.--Densely bipinnate.

Size of inflorescence.--Approximately 25 cm.

Individual petals.--(1) Length: For about 3/4 of their length, the 3petals are grown together to form a tube and are approximately 51/2 cmlong, of which 5 cm is disposed within the floral bracts hidden behindthe primary bracts. (2) Width: 6 mm. (3) Quantity: Approximately 80flowers divided over approximately 11 branches depending on the size ofplant and inflorescence. (4) Color: 11B-12C (color appears lighter inphotographs).

Time of blooming.--In a fully grown plant, flowers start 15 weeks afterinduction, and at any time of the year.

Duration of blooms.--Each flower blooms 1 day and the total duration ofblooming is about 6 weeks.

V. Reproductive organs:

Ovaries.--Superior.

Stamens.--6 in number.

VI. Seed characteristics: Sterile hybrid, therefore no seed.

I claim:
 1. A plant of a new and distinct cultivar of Guzmania plantnamed `Rana`, as illustrated and described.